Multiwalled structure



R. OTTENHEIMER MULTIWALLED STRUCTURE Oct. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Jan. 8, 1945 i atented 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEMULTIWALLED STRUCTURE Reuben E. Ottenheimer, Baltimore, Md.

Application January 8, 1945, Serial No. 571,897 12 Claims. (Cl. 20 56.5)

This invention relates to .multi-walled structures and to elementsadapted for the fabrication of such structures.

Multi-glazed windows for show cases, railway cars, commercial buildingsand residences, among other uses, have beenemployed in the past invariou forms. In most instances the windows have been assembled at thefactory and installed as a unit in frames designed to receive them. Inmany of the known forms of multi-glazed sash, should one of the panesbecome damaged, it is necessary to replace the entire sash, due to therelatively permanent manner in which the edges of the panes are sealed.Other types of installations have been criticized for the condensationthat occurs between the panes, reducing transparency and developingultimate efilorescence. Ordinary storm sash, which is the most commonform of multi-glazing, lacks a seal and the number of surfaces to becleaned is double the numberof panes.

By the provision of a preformed element having a surface provided with apair of outer flanges and a plurality of intermediate flanges,

with channels between adjacent flanges, and

opposed retaining means near the free ends of certain of the flanges, itis now possible to either prefabricate a multi-glazed or othermulti-walled structure at a manufacturing center or assemble it on thesite. Installation and repair can be effected by semi-skilled personneland single wall constructions can be converted to multiple wall closuresor partitions withrelative simplicity in accordance with the principlesof the present invention.

The preformed element may be produced by extrusion or other means anddependin upon the composition employed, may be in some casesself-supporting. It may be homogeneous or reinforced with filaments,strips, webs or other types of materials. It may be composed ofresilient material such as natural and/or synthetic rubber, condensationresins or other suitable resilient or fiowable material which whileself-supporting, can be pressed into contactwith glass sheets or wallsof fiber, metal, wood, plastic, or other material, to produce a seal inspite of irregularities of the size or surface of the glass or otherpanel. The molded element may be unitary or composite. It may comprise arigid or semi-rigid shell surfaced with a more plastic sealing materialfor contact with the panels. The panel receiving channels may be taperedand/or extensible to receive sheets of varying thickpasses, while theintermediate channels may contain or communicate with hygroscopicmaterial for removing moisture from the entrapped air between adjacentpanels. A bridging element may be interposed in any intermediate channelso as to prevent collapse or undue movement of the flanges and to retainany hygroscopic material that may be present. Such a bridging elementcan permit breathing by being suitably perforated over a suificientportion of its area. To retain such bridging elements, certain of theflanges may be provided with retaining means in the form of shoulders,grooves, beads, or other suitable arrangements.

A more complete understanding of the proposed invention will follow froma description of the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a section, partially broken away, of a multi-walledstructure incorporating some of the features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section of a sealing element;

Figure 3 is a section of another form of sealing element;

Figure 4 is a section, partially broken away, of a modified form ofstructure;

Figure 5 is a perspective, partially in section and partially brokenaway, of a multi-window cabinet incorporating features of the invention;

Figure 6 is a section, partially broken away,

of still another form of multi-walled structure;

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of another modification; and

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of still another modification.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, three wall panels II], which may beglass, wood, metal, or other material, are shown as retained in spacedparallel relationship by a preformed element l2 which encompasses theedges of the panels. The preformed element is externally embraced by achannel l4 formed of metal, preformed plastic, preformed plywood, or thelike, which serves as a frame to support and protect it. The preformedelement comprises outer flanges l6 and intermediate flanges 18. Thepanels are received in alternate channels defined by the flanges, theremaining channels serving to save material, or, if desired,simultaneously serving for the removal of moisture from the fluidentrapped between the panels. As indicated in Fig. l, a hygroscopicagent 20 is placed in these channels and covered in each case by a plateor bridge 22, received in opposed grooves formed near the upper ends ofcertain of the flanges. In some instances, a rigid tube or tray may beinserted between the intermediate fianges, in which instances, they maymediate flanges 58.

be perforated and contain such hygroscopic material.

These grooves 24 are more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 which depicttwo forms of prefabricated elements prior to their incorporation in amulti-walled assembly. The modification of Figure 2 is adapted toreceive two panels, one in each of the channels defined by the outerflanges l6 and their respective adjacent inter- The central channel 26may be used for receipt of or communication with a body of hygroscopicmaterial such as silica gel, calcium chloride or such agents as willabsorb or adsorb moisture from the atmosphere between the panes. Theglazing element of Fig. 3 is provided with four intermediate flanges asdistinguished from the two of Fig. 2. The central channel '23 in thiscase has its base formed with a longitudinal corrugation 29 to permitready transverse expansion of the channel for accommodation of panes ofdifferent thicknesses. For a similar purpose in the case of the outerchannels, the outer flanges are initially formed to flare outwardly, asshown, and after insertion of the panes, they are deflected into contactwith i the outer surfaces of the outer panes respectively to provide arelatively airtight and water-tight seal. Such a seal may be augmentedby the use of heat, pressure, adhesive or plasticizer, or combinationsofsuch agencies.

The glazing elements are preferably composed of a flexible or flowablematerial, preformed by extrusion or other methods. Some compositionscontemplated will impart semi-rigidity to the elements. Natural and/orsynthetic rubber are suited to these requirements as are various resinsand condensation products. In some cases, it may be desired to reinforcethese molded products by the inclusion of strip, filamentary, woven orotherwise constituted members within the body of the element. In othercases, semi-rigid elements may be surfaced with such plastic sealingcompositions as will accomplish the objects of this invention.

The plates or bridging elements 22 may be composed of stiff fiber,plastic, wood or metal, and may be suitably perforated and preformed toretain hygroscopic material and permit breathing, yet provide adequaterigidity to maintain the continguous flanges in-contact with the panesof glass or other walls set in the adjacent chan nels. The glassreceiving channels may be divergent if desired to adapt the elements toreceive panes of varying or different thicknesses.

Fig. 4 depicts an assembly similar to that shown in Fig. 1, differingprimarily in the provision of openings 30 penetrating the body of web ofthe glazing element for communication with the channel or channelsbetween those which receive the panes. These openings permit thehygroscopic agent to be positioned in a container or containers whichcan be inserted into or connected to the ports provided by the openings.

One suitable application of this form of invention has been depicted inFig. 5 which shows a window sash 32 receiving such a multi-glazedstructure and providing a container Bil holding a body of hygroscopic ordessicating material. Communication is established between the containerand open channels through tubes 35 which project into the openings Asshown, the members are assembled by means of the strip or strips 33toe-nailed in place to produce the required bearing upon the glazingelement and its plurality of panes.

A glazing element [2 designed for two panes of glass it] is shown inFig. 6. The intermediate channel containing hygroscopic material isbridged by a plate 22, retained in position by beads ll! formed on theouter edges of the outer end intermediate channels. These beads assure aseal against the pane surfaces for thicknesses covering a wide range.The outer flanges are shown as normally erect, a condition which can beachieved in any form of the invention to obviate the need for an outerframe 14 as described in conjunction with Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 depicts panes or panels [0 received in channels 32 of a plasticmember 44 whose intermediate channel 46 is spread by a perforated tubeor bridging means 48 adapted to receive hygroscopic material. Bonded tothe outer faces of the, plastic member 44 are a pair of rigid angles 50having depending flanges 52, one of which is tapped to receive a screw54. With the panes inserted, advancing the screw 54' will spread theflanges 52 and clamp the panes in position.

Fig. 8 illustrates a pair of panes or panel's l0 received in channels 56of a plastic member 58 whose intermediate channel 61? receives a rigidtray 62 to space the intermediate flanges 64 of the plastic member. Thistray may contain hygroscopic material if desired. Clamping elements 66of metal or other rigid material are of approximately Z --shape insection, the depending flanges being perforated and tapped respectivelyto receive a clamping screw 88'. When the screw is advanced, theclamping elements 66 are drawn into position about the plastic member 58and exert a clamping and sealing effect upo the panes or panels ill withthe aid of the interposed tray or bridging means 62.

The embodiments described in the foregoing are intended to illustrate afew applications of the present invention, which should not be limitedthereto beyond the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A glazing element of resilient flexiblematerial comprising a webhaving inner and outer surfaces, a pair Of outwardl flaring outerflanges and a, plurality of intermediate flanges projecting from theinner surface of said web, adjacent flanges defining channelstherebetween, andv opposed shoulders formed near the free ends ofcertain of said intermediate flanges defining free end portions whichare more proximate to one another than are adjacent intermediateportions of said flanges.

2. A resilient flexible unitary glazing element comprising a web havinginner and outer surfaces, a pair of outer flanges and a plurality ofintermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface of said web,adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, and means formed nearthe free ends of said intermediate flanges reducing the width of certainof said channels at their open ends.

3. A resilient flexible glazing elementcomprising a web having inner.and outer surfaces, a pair of outer flanges and a plurality ofintermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface of said Web,adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, certain ofsaid'channels adjacent an outer flange diverging toward their open ends,and' certain of said flanges having opposed relativel enlarged portionsat said ends adapted to retain a reinforcing element. r

i 4. A glazing element of resilient flexible material comprising a webhaving inner and outer surfaces, a pair of outer flanges and a pluralityof intermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface of said web,adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, channels formedadjacent said outer flanges being substantially unobstructed anddiverging toward their open ends, and shoulders defining inwardlydirected flanges formed near the free ends of certain of said adjacentflanges.

5. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a sealing element composedof resilient flexible material received in said frame, said elementhaving a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame andintermediate flanges provided with opposed shoulders defining retainingflanges directed towards one another at their free ends, a pane betweeneach outer flange and its adjacent intermediate flange, and a spacingmember retained by said retaining flanges.

6. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a preformed sealing elementcomposed of resilient flexible material received in said frame, saidelement having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame, andintermediate flanges having intermediate portions reduced relative totheir ends, a pane sealed between each outer flange and its adjacentintermediate flange, and spacing means interposed between said reducedportions of certain of said intermediate flanges and interlockedtherewith.

7. A multi-walled structure comprising a frame, a preformed sealingelement composed of resilient flexible material received in said frame,said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frameand a plurality of pairs of intermediate flanges, certain of saidintermediate flanges containing opposed grooves, a panel between eachouter flange and its adjacent intermediate flange and between certain ofthe remaining intermediate flanges and spacing means received betweensaid opposed grooves of said intermediate flanges.

8. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a sealing element composedof resilient flexible material received in said frame, said elementhaving a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame andintermediate flanges provided with opposed retaining flanges near theirfree ends, said outer flanges and intermediate flanges defining channelswhich diverge towards their open ends, a pane received in each of aplurality of said channels and spacing means in the remaining channelsinterlocked with said retaining flanges.

9. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a sealing elementcomprising resilient flexible material received in said frame, saidelement having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame andintermediate flanges provided with opposed retaining flanges near theirfree ends, said outer and intermediate flanges defining chan- 6 nelstherebetween, panes received in certain of said channels, at least oneof said channels having a longitudinal corrugation formed in its web toreceive panes of different thicknesses, and spacing means interlockedwith said retaining flanges intermediate said alternate channels.

10. A glazing element of resilient flexible material comprising a webhaving inner and outer surfaces, a pair of outer flanges, and aplurality of intermediate flanges projecting from the inner surface ofsaid web, adjacent flanges defining channels therebetween, and opposedyieldable retaining shoulders formed near the free ends of certain ofsaid intermediate flanges said shoulders being adapted to retain flangespacing means.

11. A multi-glazed window comprising a frame, a sealing element composedof resilient flexible material received in said frame, said elementhaving a web and outer flanges in contact with said frame andintermediate flanges provided with opposed shoulders defining retainingflanges directed towards one another at their free ends, a pane betweeneach outer flange and its adjacent intermediate flange, a spacing memberretained by said retaining flanges, said element and spacing memberdefining a chamber, and means establishing communication between saidchamber and a space intermediate said panes.

12. A multi-walled structure comprising a frame a reformed sealingelement composed of resilient flexible material received in said frame,said element having a web and outer flanges in contact with said frameand a plurality of pairs of intermediate flanges, certain of saidintermediate flanges containing opposed grooves, a panel between eachouter flange and its adjacent intermediate flange and between certain ofthe remaining intermediate flanges and spacing means received betweensaid opposed grooves of said intermediate flanges, said spacing membercontaining a fluid passage in communication with Number a spaceintermediate said panels.

REUBEN E. OTTENHEIMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 1,975,895 Geyer Oct. 9, 1934 2,077,305Batchell Apr. 13, 1937 2,129,072 Rutishauser Sept. 6, 1938 2,168,216Kennedy Aug. 1, 1939 2,189,388 Zand Feb. 6, 1940 2,193,853 Axe Mar. 19,1940 2,276,112 Stoneback Mar. 10, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate Germany July 1, 1937 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,525,717October 10, 1950 REUBEN E. OTTENHEIMER It is hereby certified that errorappears in the printed specification of the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 8, for the Word end read and; column 6, line 31, forframe a reformed read frame, a preformed;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, sothat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of December, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammz'ssz'oner of Patents.

